The Eastern Cape head of the Hawks, Brigadier Kholekile Galawe, is embroiled in a land dispute in Ngqamakhwe.
Galawe is accused by the Mbadlanyana family of taking land apparently earmarked for the development of a cultural village.
The Mbadlanyana family claim Galawe used his powers to convince Amahlubi Tribal Authority traditional leader Mvuyiswa Luzipho to give him the prime site near the Ndabakazi junction.
Both Galawe and Luzipho deny this, and asked the family to meet them to discuss the issue.
The family said the piece of land was to be rezoned for the development of an Amahlubi Cultural Village and conference centre.
The person who pioneered the idea, Peggy Mbadlanyana, died in 2006. Her children claim Galawe took advantage of this and pushed ahead with his own plan.
One of her children, Nokwanda Mbadlanyana, said they wanted their mother’s piece of land back.
“That land belonged to our mother and we’ve been trying our best to get it back after she passed away.
“We were shocked to learn that Galawe, the Hawks’ boss, has taken over the development of that land. We need answers from him and the chief,” said Mbadlanyana.
Galawe is not denying his involvement in the project, but said he was approached by the late Peggy.
“I am no longer full-time in this project as you know my job . Years ago their mother approached me to help and I did just that, nothing else,” he said.
He said none of Peggy’s children had spoken to him.
“They had no documentation to show that they were ready to work on the land. All they had was the Permission to Occupy certificate and that has since lapsed…I suggested that they work with the community trust,” said Galawe.
Chief Luzipho said the family had no right to the land and the dispute could be resolved when all the affected parties held discussions.
“The solution to this is for the children to come here to talk to us so that we can find common ground,” he said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Head of EC Hawks embroiled in land dispute
Galawe is accused by the Mbadlanyana family of taking land apparently earmarked for the development of a cultural village.
The Mbadlanyana family claim Galawe used his powers to convince Amahlubi Tribal Authority traditional leader Mvuyiswa Luzipho to give him the prime site near the Ndabakazi junction.
Both Galawe and Luzipho deny this, and asked the family to meet them to discuss the issue.
The family said the piece of land was to be rezoned for the development of an Amahlubi Cultural Village and conference centre.
The person who pioneered the idea, Peggy Mbadlanyana, died in 2006. Her children claim Galawe took advantage of this and pushed ahead with his own plan.
One of her children, Nokwanda Mbadlanyana, said they wanted their mother’s piece of land back.
“That land belonged to our mother and we’ve been trying our best to get it back after she passed away.
“We were shocked to learn that Galawe, the Hawks’ boss, has taken over the development of that land. We need answers from him and the chief,” said Mbadlanyana.
Galawe is not denying his involvement in the project, but said he was approached by the late Peggy.
“I am no longer full-time in this project as you know my job . Years ago their mother approached me to help and I did just that, nothing else,” he said.
He said none of Peggy’s children had spoken to him.
“They had no documentation to show that they were ready to work on the land. All they had was the Permission to Occupy certificate and that has since lapsed…I suggested that they work with the community trust,” said Galawe.
Chief Luzipho said the family had no right to the land and the dispute could be resolved when all the affected parties held discussions.
“The solution to this is for the children to come here to talk to us so that we can find common ground,” he said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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